Early losses serving Magnolia West in playoffs

Will Hicks (44) is one of the leaders of a Magnolia West defense that has plenty of experience.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith, Freelance

It was one of the low points for the 2012 Magnolia West Mustangs. The program was in the playoffs for the third year in a row but lost in the first round for the second time. Magnolia West had little answer for Georgetown in a 32-point drubbing.

The Mustangs watched Georgetown win four more playoff games to reach the Class 4A Division I final, which the Eagles led late in the third quarter before losing.

But as disappointing as it was, that ending point for 2012 is exactly where this season's team began.

"The kids saw what that level of football is like, and I think that inspired them to work to get to that level," said fourth-year Magnolia West head coach Shawn Bell. "Our motto this year is 'Leave a legacy,' and they're wanting to do something that's never been done around here, and they're working that way."

Magnolia West (8-3) will get that chance Friday in the Division I region semifinals when it faces perennial power Dawson (10-2). The two play at 2 p.m. Friday at Galena Park ISD Stadium.

Dawson, like most remaining teams in Region III, is expected to still be alive in the playoffs - the Eagles have eight postseason wins the last three years. Georgetown is also back, facing 22-4A champion Stratford.

Are you experienced?

The Division II quartet features four district champions, including three undefeated teams and two that finished the regular season ranked in the AP state poll.

Then there's Magnolia West, a third-place finisher that started 1-2 and lost three of four at one point.

But the Mustangs aren't surprised. Most of the team returned from a year ago, including 10 starters on defense.

Injuries took a toll early, contributing to the slow start. Bell said it was during that time the Mustangs learned how to be a better team.

"Those three losses early made us stronger and made us hungrier," he said. "You never want to lose, but sometimes that's a good thing, because the way you respond - you come back better."

Magnolia West has won seven games in a row, hitting its stride in the finale against Waller. Down 7-0 at halftime, the Mustangs answered with 22 straight second-half points.

"We feel like the past couple of weeks we've been playing our best football," senior safety Brady Bynum said. "We're not full of athletes, so coaches tell us before every game that the thing that will work for us is being aggressive. And that's what we've been doing."

Seniors on a mission

Then came playoffs wins over Manor and Summer Creek, which were a combined 19-1 before each played the Mustangs.

"They were just hungry to keep playing," Bell said. "Our seniors don't want their careers to be over, and so they've been playing every snap like it's their last or it will be their last. This senior class has been playing together for a long time, and those guys want it more than anything."

Bell met those seniors when they were eighth-graders. Bynum, Will Hicks, Xavier Jones and Luke Knowles helped solidify the defense, while Jose Guevara is the offensive line's anchor.

"Going back to last year, we had our best offseason," Bell said. "Going into the summer, we had our best summer. Going into fall camp, we had our best fall.

"We just had a couple hiccups early in the year, but it's not about how you play early. It's how you finish. Our kids are playing pretty good right now."